Lillehammer 2016 making dreams come true for Norwegian kids

Thousands of local schoolchildren are being given the opportunity to join in the fun of the 2nd Winter Youth Olympic Games as part of Lillehammer 2016’s ‘Dream Day’ initiative.

“In order to inspire young people in the region we have, in close partnership with the counties of Hedmark and Oppland, invited 20,000 youth to a Dream Day in Lillehammer,” explained Lillehammer 2016 CEO Tomas Holmestad. “They will first watch top athletes and then try the sport themselves. Later on, they will join the cultural festival Sjoggfest.”

Throughout the week of 15-19 February, a total of 20,000 children from the Oppland and Hedmark regions will travel with their teachers to different YOG venues.

Once there, they will have the opportunity to both see and try various sports, as well as cheering on young athletes at a Medal Ceremony. After leaving the venues, the students will get a unique chance to visit various museums, exhibitions and lectures, while also participating in some of the unique Sjoggfest activities that are on offer.

At the end of each day, the students will gather at the Sjogg Tent near the Stampesletta ice venues to enjoy an exclusive music concert, before they are transported back to their schools.

The main focus of the Dream Day is to inspire local youth by integrating sporting, cultural and educational activities, with each of the participating schools learning about the Olympic values as part of classroom projects in the build-up to the YOG.

The Dream Day programme is a collaboration between the Lillehammer 2016 Organising Committee, the County District Councils, the County Governors, Concerts Norway and Den Kulturelle Skolesekken.